Decision not a brave one (From Western Telegraph)

Decision not a brave one

Dear editor - John Jenkins was the prospective Conservative Assembly candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire for less than 24 hours.

Previously he had been de-selected for the Llanelli seat in the run up to the last Assembly elections because of homophobic remarks he was alleged to have made on a website in 2003. If, upon mature reflection, John Jenkins had genuinely changed his mind, then the decision by the Tories to give him a second chance would have been brave, given the inevitable degree of scrutiny to which such a change of heart would have been subjected. To force his resignation within hours of being selected in order to limit the damage he might do to the reputation of the Conservative party instead was not a brave decision. Whoever becomes their second choice will be saddled with his legacy.

cllr John Allen Chairman, Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats, Flat four 37 Main Street, Pembroke